Shale shaker imaging system

ABSTRACT

A method for identifying a wellbore condition includes capturing a first image of cuttings on or downstream from a shale shaker using a first camera. A size, shape, texture, or combination thereof of the cuttings in the first image may be determined. A wellbore condition may be identified based on the size, shape, texture, or combination thereof of the cuttings in the first image.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 14/064,074 filed on Oct. 6, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No.11,651,483, which application claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 14/982,510 filed on Dec. 29, 2015, now U.S.Pat. No. 10,796,424, which application claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/263,452, filed on Dec. 4, 2015,each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

In the wellbore construction process, in-situ rocks are broken down by adrill bit to generate a wellbore. These rock cuttings are then carriedto the surface by a fluid called drilling mud. The drilling mud is thenpassed through sieves mounted on equipment called a “shale shaker” wherethe rock cuttings are separated from the drilling mud. The sieves on theshale shaker are vibrated to improve the efficiency of the separationprocess. The separated rock cuttings fall over the edge of the sieveinto an appropriate disposal mechanism.

There are several factors that affect the size, shape, and amount ofrock cuttings during the wellbore construction process. These includethe type of drill bit used, the mechanical parameters used during thedrilling operation, the compressive strengths of the rocks, and otherparameters dictated by geomechanics.

A phenomenon called “caving” may also be observed during the drilling ofthe wellbore. Caving refers to large rock masses that have failedthrough naturally-occurring weak planes or through the disturbance of anin-situ pressure regime that may exist within the rocks. As the drillingprocess alters the stress regimes of the rock, it may trigger aninstability in the wellbore causing the rocks to cave in.

Some types of rocks (e.g., shale) are sensitive to their chemicalenvironment. For example, when the rocks contact the drilling fluid, therocks may swell, weaken, and eventually collapse in the wellbore. Theabove-mentioned process may affect the characteristic shape of some ofthe rock cuttings. For example, the shape, size, and amount of a firstportion of the rock cuttings may be driven by the cutting structure ofthe drill bit while a second portion of the rock cuttings generated byfractured caving may exhibit flat and parallel faces with differingbedding planes. Angular-shaped rock cuttings with curved surfaces havinga rough texture and/or splintered-shape rock cuttings may indicate ahigher stress regime in rocks. Thus, by having a continuous analysis onthe shape of the rock cuttings, a user may be able to establish asituation with regards to wellbore stability and may take correctiveactions.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that arefurther described below in the detailed description. This summary is notintended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope ofthe claimed subject matter.

A method for identifying a wellbore condition is disclosed. The methodincludes capturing a first image of cuttings on (or downstream from) ashale shaker using a first camera. A size, shape, texture, orcombination thereof of the cuttings in the first image may bedetermined. A wellbore condition may be identified based on the size,shape, texture, or combination thereof of the cuttings in the firstimage.

In another embodiment, the method includes capturing visual data ofcuttings in a visible light spectrum using a first camera and capturingvisual data of the cuttings in an infrared light spectrum using a secondcamera. At least a portion of the visual data from the first camera iscombined with at least a portion of the visual data from the secondcamera to generate a common image. The common image is compared toimages stored in a database. A wellbore condition that corresponds tothe common image is identified in response to comparing the common imageto the images.

A system for identifying a wellbore condition is also disclosed. Thesystem includes a shaker that separates cuttings from a drilling mud. Afirst camera is positioned proximate to a downstream edge of the shakerand captures a first image of the cuttings. A computer system receivesthe first image from the first camera, determines a size, shape,texture, or combination thereof of the cuttings in the first image, andidentifies a wellbore condition based on the size, shape, texture, orcombination thereof of the cuttings in the first image.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the presentteachings and together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the present teachings. In the figures:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a shaker assembly having one or morevisual capture devices coupled thereto, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the shaker assembly and the firstvisual capture device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of the first visual capture device,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the first visual capture device,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the first visual capture device,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a back view of the first visual capture deviceincluding two sets of cameras, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the shaker assembly and the visualcapture devices, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart of a method for identifying a wellborecondition based upon visual data of a cutting, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a computing system for performing the methoddisclosed herein, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings and figures. In thefollowing detailed description, numerous specific details are set forthin order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However,it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that theinvention may be practiced without these specific details. In otherinstances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, andnetworks have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarilyobscure aspects of the embodiments.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another. For example, a first object or step could betermed a second object or step, and, similarly, a second object or stepcould be termed a first object or step, without departing from the scopeof the invention. The first object or step, and the second object orstep, are both, objects or steps, respectively, but they are not to beconsidered the same object or step.

The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is notintended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the description ofthe invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and“the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless thecontext clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that theterm “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and allpossible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Itwill be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,”“comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Further, as used herein,the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in responseto determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context.

Attention is now directed to processing procedures, methods, techniques,and workflows that are in accordance with some embodiments. Someoperations in the processing procedures, methods, techniques, andworkflows disclosed herein may be combined and/or the order of someoperations may be changed.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a shaker assembly 100 having one ormore visual capture devices (two are shown: 210, 220) coupled thereto,according to an embodiment. The shaker assembly 100 may include an inletline 110 configured to introduce a drilling mud 112 from a wellbore intoinitial distribution tank (also called “Header box”) 120. The drillingmud 112 from the wellbore may have a plurality of cuttings 114 dispersedtherein.

The shaker assembly 100 may also include one or more shakers (two areshown: 130). The drilling mud 112 may flow from the initial distributiontank 120 into the shakers 130. Each of the shakers 130 may be or includea sieve (e.g., a wire-cloth screen) having a plurality of openingsformed therethrough, and each opening may have an averagecross-sectional length (e.g., diameter) from about 780 microns to about22.5 microns. The drilling mud 112 (with the cuttings 114 therein) mayflow along the shakers 130 in the direction 134 (i.e., away from theinitial distribution tank 120).

The fluid in the drilling mud 112, and any solid particles having across-sectional length less than the cross-sectional length of theopenings in the shaker 130, may flow through the openings in the shaker130. Solid particles (e.g., cuttings 114) having a cross-sectionallength greater than or equal to the cross-sectional length of theopenings in the shaker 130 may not flow through the openings in theshaker 130. Rather, these cuttings 114 may pass over a downstream edge136 of the shaker 130 and into a cuttings holding tank 150 (see FIG. 2). Thus, the shaker assembly 100 may be configured to separate thecuttings 114 from the drilling mud 112. In at least one embodiment, aslide may be positioned at the downstream edge 136 of the shaker 130.The cuttings 114 may travel down the slide after flowing over thedownstream edge 136 of the shaker 130. The slide may not vibrate.

The visual capture devices 210, 220 may be positioned proximate to(e.g., within 5 meters) and/or coupled to the shaker assembly 100. Asshown, the first visual capture device 210 may be positioned in front ofthe downstream edge 136 of one of the shakers 130, and the second visualcapture device 220 may be positioned in front of the downstream edge 136of the other shaker 130.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the shaker assembly 100 and the visualcapture device 210, according to an embodiment. A settling tank 140 maybe positioned underneath the shaker 130. The drilling mud 112 that flowsthrough the openings in the shaker 130 may fall into the settling tank140. From there, the drilling mud 112 may be repurposed. As shown, thevisual capture device 210 may be positioned beneath a walkway 230 and/ora railing 232. The visual capture device 210 may also belaterally-offset from the downstream edge 136 of the shakers 130.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a back view and a top view of the visualcapture device 210, according to an embodiment. The visual capturedevice 210 may include a rectangular metal box 240 having the front andbottom surfaces removed. The back side 242 of the box 240 may include abracket, and opposing sides 244, 246 of the box 240 may be or includemetal protective plates.

The visual capture device 210 may include one or more cameras (two areshown: 212, 214). The cameras 212, 214 may be coupled to the bracket onthe back side 242 of the box 240. The cameras 212, 214 may have aningress protection of 67. The cameras 212, 214 may have a speed rangingfrom about 1 Hz to about 400 Hz, and a resolution ranging from about320×256 pixels to about 1280×1024 pixels.

The cameras 212, 214 may capture visual data of the cuttings 114 as thecuttings 114 are on the shaker 130, as the cuttings 114 are falling fromthe shaker 130, or when the cuttings 114 are in the cuttings holdingtank 150. In one embodiment, the cuttings 114 may fall through the fieldof view 213, 215 of the cameras 212, 214 as they fall toward thecuttings holding tank 150.

The first camera 212 may be configured to capture visual data in thevisible light spectrum (e.g., wavelengths from about 380 nm to about 700nm). The second camera 214 may be configured to capture visual data inthe thermal/infrared spectrum (e.g., wavelengths from about 700 nm toabout 1 mm). The visible light spectrum images may be useful indetermining cutting size. The thermal images may be particularly usefulin determining surface texture and/or geometry, as the cuttings 114 maybe hotter than the background. The visual data from the cameras 212, 214may be or include one or more images and/or a (e.g., continuous) videostream. The cameras 212, 214 may transmit this visual data to aprocessing resource 250 either via a cable 252 or wirelessly (see FIG. 1) or process the data in-situ. The processing resource 250 may be acomputer system, a flash drive, a microprocessor, a combination thereof,or the like.

A distance between the downstream edge 136 and the cameras 212, 214 maybe from about 10 cm to about 100 cm or from about 20 cm to about 60 cm.As a result, a distance between the cuttings 114 and the cameras 212,214, as the cuttings 114 are falling into the cuttings holding tank 150,may be from about 5 cm to about 95 cm or from about 15 cm to about 55cm. In some embodiments, one or both of the cameras 212, 214 may includean optical zoom up to about 10×.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the visual capture device 210,according to an embodiment. The area in front of the cameras 212, 214may be illuminated by one or more light sources 260. The light sources260 may be positioned above, below, in front of, behind, and/or on theside(s) of the cameras 212, 214. In at least one embodiment, a wall orcurtain of liquid 262 may be in the field of view 213, 215 of thecameras 212, 214. The liquid may be water or diesel (e.g., withoil-base-mid). For example, the curtain of liquid 262 may be positionedsuch that the cuttings 114 fall between the curtain of liquid 262 andthe cameras 212, 214. The curtain of liquid 262 may create a uniformbackground noise that may be removed during processing of the visualdata. The liquid 262 may be recycled by a small pump 264. Thetemperature of the liquid may be measured by a temperature sensor andvaried in order to obtain the desired contrast for thermal imaging. Inat least one embodiment, the light source 260 may be or include a strobelight configured to emit pulses of light. This may help to freeze themovement of the cuttings 114 and to better illuminate the surfaces ofthe cuttings 114. In at least one embodiment, the light source 260 mayproject a structured light. More particularly, the light source 260 mayproject a known pattern of light on the cuttings 114 (e.g., in aninfrared spectrum). The deformation of the pattern may allow the visualcapture device 210 to identify and calculate geometrical information ofthe cuttings 114. A calibration pattern may be projected to removedistortion created by optics and visual capture device perspective

FIG. 6 illustrates a back view of the visual capture device 210including two sets of cameras 212A, 212B, 214A, 214B, according to anembodiment. The shaker 130 may include an upper deck 131 and a lowerdeck 133. In this instance, two or more first cameras 212A, 212B and twoor more second cameras 214A, 214B may be used. As shown, one of thefirst (e.g., visual spectrum) cameras 212A may be positionedaxially-adjacent to the upper deck 131, and another of the first (e.g.,visual spectrum) cameras 212B may be positioned axially-adjacent to thelower deck 133. Similarly, one of the second (e.g., thermal spectrum)cameras 214A may be positioned axially-adjacent to the upper deck 131,and another of the second (e.g., thermal spectrum) cameras 214B may bepositioned axially-adjacent to the lower deck 133. The cameras 212A,212B, 214A, 214B may be positioned above the walkway 230, as shown. Moreparticularly, the cameras 212A, 2128, 214A, 214B may be coupled to therailing 232 that extends upwards from the walkway 230. For example, thecameras 212A, 212B, 214A, 214B may be coupled to a bracket 234 that iscoupled to the railing 232.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the shaker assembly 100 and the visualcapture devices 210, 220 coupled, according to an embodiment. Astructure may be placed in front of the shakers 130. The structure mayinclude one or more vertical poles (two are shown: 272, 273) and one ormore horizontal poles (one is shown: 274). As shown, the visual capturedevices 210, 220 may be coupled to the vertical poles 272, 273. Forexample, the first visual capture device 210 (e.g., including thecameras 212, 214) may be coupled to the first vertical pole 272, and thesecond visual capture device 220 (also including visual and/or thermalcameras) may be coupled to the second vertical pole 273. A light source260 may be coupled to the horizontal pole 274 between the two verticalpoles 272, 273. As discussed above, the light source 260 may be aprojector that projects light downward in a structured light and/orcalibration pattern.

The light may shine on the cuttings 114 as the cuttings 114 are on theshakers 130, as the cuttings 114 fall over the downstream edge 136 ofthe shakers 130, or as the cuttings rest in the cuttings holding tank150. In at least one embodiment, the cameras (e.g., cameras 212, 214) inthe first visual capture device 210 may have a field of view 216 thatcaptures the cuttings 114 as they fall through the light. The field ofview 216 shown in FIG. 7 may be or include the fields of view 213, 215shown in FIG. 3 , or the field of view 216 may be different. Similarly,the cameras in the second visual capture device 220 may have a field ofview 226 that captures the cuttings 114 as they fall through the light.As shown, the fields of view 216, 226 may at least partially orcompletely overlap. This may facilitate a detection of the size and/orshape of the cuttings 114. For example, the same field from twodifferent perspectives may enhance depth perception in the analysis ofthe images, thereby providing greater accuracy in the analysis of thecuttings 114. In at least some embodiments, three-dimensional reliefimages may be produced by analysis of the two images captured by thevisual spectrum cameras (e.g., camera 212) in the two visual capturedevices 210, 220.

In at least one embodiment, a motion detector 276 may be positionedproximate to the shakers 130 and detect motion of the shakers 130 (e.g.,as the shakers vibrate), the drilling mud 112, the cuttings 114, or acombination thereof. The motion detector 276 may cause the light sources260 and/or the curtain of water 262 to turn or remain on when motion isdetected, and the light sources 260 and/or the curtain of water 262 maybe turned off or remain off when no motion is detected. In anotherembodiment, the power supply for the shaker assembly 100 may be linkedto the light sources 260 and/or the curtain of water 262 such that theshaker assembly 100, the light sources 260, and/or the curtain of water262 may be turned on and turned off together (e.g., with a single flipof a switch).

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart of a method 800 for identifying awellbore condition based upon visual data of wellbore cuttings,according to an embodiment. The method 800 may be performed using thevisual capture device(s) 210, 220 shown in FIGS. 1-7 ; however, in otherembodiments, the method 800 may be performed using other components. Themethod 800 may begin by introducing a drilling mud 112 into a shaker130, as at 802. A first portion of the drilling mud 112 may pass throughopenings in the shaker 130 and into a settling tank 140 (see FIG. 2 ). Asecond portion of the drilling mud (e.g., cuttings 114) may fall overthe downstream edge 136 of the shaker 130 and into a cuttings holdingtank 150.

The method 800 may then include illuminating the cuttings 114 using alight source 260, as at 804. The cuttings 114 may be illuminated whilethey are still on the shaker 130, as they are falling from the shaker130 into the cuttings holding tank 150, when they are resting in thecuttings holding tank 150, or a combination thereof. As discussed above,in at least one embodiment, the light source 260 may backlight a curtainof water 162. In another embodiment, the light source 260 may beconfigured to project structured light onto the cuttings 114, which maybe used to identify geometrical information (e.g., shape, position,etc.) about the cuttings 114, as described in greater detail below.

The method 800 may also include capturing visual data of the cuttings114 in a visible light spectrum using a first camera 212, as at 806. Themethod 800 may also include capturing visual data of the cuttings 114 inan infrared light spectrum (i.e., thermal imaging) using a second camera214, as at 808. The visual data in the visual light spectrum may becaptured before, simultaneous with, or after the visual data in theinfrared light spectrum. As discussed above, in some embodiments, two ormore first (e.g., visual spectrum) cameras 212A, 212B may be used, withone being positioned adjacent to an upper level deck of the shaker 130and another being positioned adjacent to a lower deck 133 of the shaker133. In another embodiment, two or more first (e.g., visual spectrum)cameras 212A, 212B may be used to capture the same cuttings 114 fromdifferent, but at least partially or completely overlapping,perspectives.

The captured images may cover a defined length of the shaker 130 or theslide. This corresponds to a slice/portion of the global view of theshaker 130. The length of the visual slice may be larger than thelongest cutting 114. As this slice has a certain extent, the same“small” cutting 114 may appear in multiple images at differentpositions. The analyzing (introduced below) may not count the samecutting 114 multiple times in the histogram of cutting size. In oneembodiment, two images may be taken at different times, and the timebetween the images may be large enough so that the same cutting 114 isnot present in both images. This time may be predefined based on thesetting of the shaker 130 and/or mud and drilling conditions. Thisallows the system and/or the user to estimate the time for the cutting114 to travel over some zone of the shale shaker sieve. In anotherembodiment, the images may be captured with a short time between theimages so that the analyzing may recognize the same (i.e., a common)cutting 114 travelling along the image slice in both images. Thiscutting 114 may then be counted a single time in the histogram.

The method 800 may include transmitting the visual data from the firstcamera(s) 212 and the second camera(s) 214 to a processing resource 250,as at 810. The method 800 may then include analyzing the visual datafrom the first camera(s) 210, using the processing resource 250, todetect one or more reliefs in the cuttings 114, as at 812. As usedherein, the term “relief” refers to the variation of elevation on thesurface of the cuttings 114. More particularly, analyzing the visualdata from the first camera(s) 210 may include applying one or more edgedetection techniques to the cuttings 114 to detect the reliefs. Theprocessing resource 250 may also analyze the visual data from the firstcamera(s) 210 to determine the size, shape, and/or number of thecuttings 114. The processing resource 250 may then compile thestatistics of the reliefs, size, shape, and/or number to generate aparticle size distribution of the cuttings 114.

The method 800 may also include analyzing the visual data from thesecond camera(s) 220, using the processing resource 250, to detectisometric lines for defining the surface features of the cuttings 114,as at 814. In one embodiment, the visual data from the second camera(s)220 may be analyzed to detect isometric lines of substantially equaltemperature in the cuttings 114. As used herein, “substantially equaltemperature” refers to a difference in temperature (e.g., thermalsensitivity) that is greater than or equal to about 0.05° C. Theprocessing resource 250 and/or the user may use this information todefine the morphology of the cuttings 114.

In at least one embodiment, the analyzing at 812 and 814 may includedistinguishing cuttings 114 generated by the drill bit from cuttings notgenerated by the drill bit (e.g., cuttings generated by caving, etc.).This may also include determining a percentage of the cuttings 114 thatare generated by the drill bit and a percentage of the cuttings 114 thatare not generated by the drill bit.

In another embodiment, the analyzing at 812 and 814 may includeseparately analyzing the visual data from the upper deck 131 and thelower deck 133. More particularly, the cuttings 114 contained in thevisual data from the upper deck 131 may be filtered out of the visualdata from the lower deck 133. Then, one particle distribution may begenerated using the statistics from the cuttings 114 from the upper deck131, and a separate particle distribution may be generated using thestatistics from the cuttings 114 from the lower deck 133. Thisinformation may be used to evaluate the efficiency of the shaker 130 fora given shaker screen size. In another embodiment, the analyzing at 812and 814 may include analyzing the visual data from two or more first(e.g., visual spectrum) cameras 212 and/or from two or more second(e.g., infrared light spectrum) cameras 214.

The method 800 may also include combining at least a portion of thevisual data from the first camera 212 and at least a portion of thevisual data from the second camera 214 into a common image, as at 816.More particularly, an image from the visual data from the second camera214 may be superimposed into/onto or overlap with an image from thevisual data from the first camera 212 to generate a commonthree-dimensional relief image.

The method 800 may then include comparing, using the processing resource250, the (e.g., three-dimensional relief) image to a plurality ofthree-dimensional relief images stored in a database, as at 818. Theplurality of three-dimensional relief images stored in the database maybe linked to and/or be indicative of a particular wellbore condition.More particularly, the cuttings shown in the plurality ofthree-dimensional relief images may be known to be from a portion of asubterranean formation that experienced a particular wellbore condition.Illustrative wellbore conditions may include a mechanical wellboreinstability condition, a rock-chemical interaction wellbore instabilitycondition, a drilling practice related wellbore instability condition,or the like.

The method 800 may then include identifying a wellbore condition thatcorresponds to the (e.g., three-dimensional relief) image based at leastpartially upon the comparison, as at 820. The method 800 may theninclude varying a drilling parameter in response to the identifiedwellbore condition, as at 822. The drilling parameter may be or includethe density of the fluid (e.g., drilling mud) being pumped into thewellbore, the rheological properties of the fluid (e.g., drilling mud),the weight on the drill bit (“WOB”), the rotation rate of the drillstring, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure may beexecuted by a computing system. FIG. 9 illustrates an example of such acomputing system 900, in accordance with some embodiments. The computingsystem 900 may include a computer or computer system 901A, which may bean individual computer system 901A or an arrangement of distributedcomputer systems. In at least one embodiment, the computer system 901Amay be the processing resource 250 described above. The computer system901A includes one or more analysis modules 902 that are configured toperform various tasks according to some embodiments, such as one or moremethods disclosed herein. To perform these various tasks, the analysismodule 902 executes independently, or in coordination with, one or moreprocessors 904, which is (or are) connected to one or more storage media906. The processor(s) 904 is (or are) also connected to a networkinterface 907 to allow the computer system 901A to communicate over adata network 909 with one or more additional computer systems and/orcomputing systems, such as 901B, 901C, and/or 901D (note that computersystems 901B, 901C and/or 901D may or may not share the samearchitecture as computer system 901A, and may be located in differentphysical locations, e.g., computer systems 901A and 901B may be locatedin a processing facility, while in communication with one or morecomputer systems such as 901C and/or 901D that are located in one ormore data centers, and/or located in varying countries on differentcontinents).

A processor may include a microprocessor, microcontroller, processormodule or subsystem, programmable integrated circuit, programmable gatearray, or another control or computing device.

The storage media 906 may be implemented as one or morecomputer-readable or machine-readable storage media. Note that while inthe example embodiment of FIG. 9 storage media 906 is depicted as withincomputer system 901A, in some embodiments, storage media 906 may bedistributed within and/or across multiple internal and/or externalenclosures of computing system 901A and/or additional computing systems.Storage media 1406 may include one or more different forms of memoryincluding semiconductor memory devices such as dynamic or static randomaccess memories (DRAMs or SRAMs), erasable and programmable read-onlymemories (EPROMs), electrically erasable and programmable read-onlymemories (EEPROMs) and flash memories, magnetic disks such as fixed,floppy and removable disks, other magnetic media including tape, opticalmedia such as compact disks (CDs) or digital video disks (DVDs), BLURAY®disks, or other types of optical storage, or other types of storagedevices. Note that the instructions discussed above may be provided onone computer-readable or machine-readable storage medium, oralternatively, may be provided on multiple computer-readable ormachine-readable storage media distributed in a large system havingpossibly plural nodes. Such computer-readable or machine-readablestorage medium or media is (are) considered to be part of an article (orarticle of manufacture). An article or article of manufacture may referto any manufactured single component or multiple components. The storagemedium or media may be located either in the machine running themachine-readable instructions, or located at a remote site from whichmachine-readable instructions may be downloaded over a network forexecution.

In some embodiments, the computing system 900 contains one or morecomparison module(s) 908. In the example of computing system 900,computer system 901A includes the comparison module 908. In someembodiments, a single comparison module may be used to perform one ormore embodiments of the method 800 disclosed herein. In otherembodiments, a plurality of comparison modules may be used to performthe method 800 herein. The comparison module(s) 908 may be configured tocompare the visual data of the cuttings 114 to the previously-capturedimages of cuttings to help determine which wellbore condition(s) maycorrespond to the cuttings 114 in the visual data.

It should be appreciated that computing system 900 is only one exampleof a computing system, and that computing system 900 may have more orfewer components than shown, may combine additional components notdepicted in the example embodiment of FIG. 9 , and/or computing system900 may have a different configuration or arrangement of the componentsdepicted in FIG. 9 . The various components shown in FIG. 9 may beimplemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both hardware andsoftware, including one or more signal processing and/or applicationspecific integrated circuits.

Further, the steps in the processing methods described herein may beimplemented by running one or more functional modules in informationprocessing apparatus such as general purpose processors or applicationspecific chips, such as ASICs, FPGAs, PLDs, or other appropriatedevices. These modules, combinations of these modules, and/or theircombination with general hardware are all included within the scope ofprotection of the invention.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modificationsand variations are possible in view of the above teachings. Moreover,the order in which the elements of the methods described herein areillustrate and described may be re-arranged, and/or two or more elementsmay occur simultaneously. The embodiments were chosen and described inorder to best explain the principals of the invention and its practicalapplications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to bestutilize the invention and various embodiments with various modificationsas are suited to the particular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for identifying a wellbore condition,comprising: capturing visual data of cuttings in a visible lightspectrum using a first camera; capturing visual data of the cuttings inan infrared light spectrum using a second camera; combining at least aportion of the visual data from the first camera with at least a portionof the visual data from the second camera to generate a common image;comparing the common image to a plurality of images stored in adatabase; and identifying a wellbore condition that corresponds to thecommon image in response to comparing the common image to the pluralityof images.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the visual data of thecuttings in the visible light spectrum is captured using at least twofirst cameras having overlapping fields of view.
 3. The method of claim2, further comprising: analyzing the visual data from the at least twofirst cameras to detect one or more reliefs in the cuttings; andanalyzing the visual data from the one or more second cameras to detectisometric lines of substantially equal temperature in the cuttings. 4.The method of claim 1, further comprising distinguishing between a firstportion of the cuttings generated by a drill bit drilling through asubterranean formation and a second portion of the cuttings that are notgenerated by the drill bit drilling through the subterranean formation.5. The method of claim 1, wherein capturing visual data of the cuttingsin the visible light spectrum using the one or more first camerascomprises capturing visual data of the cuttings as the cuttings fallfrom the shaker into a cuttings holding tank.